CHASE — Virgil “Ralph” Renfro Jr., 76, of Chase, Kan., passed away Nov. 4, 2024, at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson, Kan. He was born Nov. 14, 1947, in Tahlequah, Okla., the son of Virgil Ralph Sr. and Lorene (Spears) Renfro. Ralph has resided in Chase for the past 53 years, formerly of Sterling and Douglass, Kan. 

He graduated from Pioneer High School, Stillwater, Okla., with the class of 1964 and attended Oklahoma State University from 1964 until 1966. In 1968, Ralph received his bachelor’s in education degree from Sterling College. He taught mathematics and science for 6th through 8th grades, and served as principal at Raymond Jr. High School, Raymond, Kan., retiring in 2003, after 33 years. Ralph also coached Jr. High football, basketball and track. 

He enjoyed fishing, loved deer, turkey, pheasant, quail, duck and geese hunting. Ralph enjoyed building his own long bows and arrows, drag racing, and most of all spending time with his family. He was a member of the Kansas Bow Hunters Association, Oklahoma Selfbow Society, Lions Club of Chase, and the Masonic Lodge of Chase. 

On April 25, 1969, Ralph was united in marriage with Kathryn “Dianne” Daniels in Enid, Okla. He is survived by his wife, Dianne Renfro of Chase, Kan.; daughter, Krystyn Dyan of Lawrence, Kan.; four siblings, Alma Elaine Ready of Lincoln, Neb., Lynn Spore and husband Steven of Port Vila, Vanuatu, Lawanna Bogia of Topeka, Kan., and Danny Renfro and wife Terri of Macksville, Kan.; and three grandchildren, Greyden Renfro-Harty of Chase, Kan., Griffin Hardy of Topeka, Kan., and Isabel Hardy of Austin, Texas. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents. 

Funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at the Chase High School Gym, Chase, Kan., with Danny Renfro officiating. Burial will follow at the Raymond Hilltop Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present. Memorials may be given to the Oklahoma Selfbow Society in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Homes

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS  67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 7, 2024